Hanifin's two-goal, three-point outing in leading the Flames to Saturday's 6-3 win over the Oilers is proof positive why he will be the most sought after defenceman at the deadline

If his performance in Saturday’s Battle of Alberta is one of the last memories of Noah Hanifin’s time with the Calgary Flames, that’s a whale of a way to go.

First star. Two goals. Three points. It may be Hanifin’s best game ever as the Flames claimed a 6-3 road victory over the Edmonton Oilers in a heated affair, mainly due to frustrations boiling over for the hosts. And coming while it’s all but a certainty the 27-year-old defenceman, and pending unrestricted free-agent, will be traded before the March 8 deadline.

If anyone questions why the Flames desperately have tried to keep Hanifin in the fold with a long-term extension, it was on full display on a night he reached a career high with his 11th goal of the season, and came within a couple of inches of completing a hat trick when a long empty-net attempt rang off the post. On top of his tallies, Hanifin forced the turnover that led to Nazem Kadri putting Calgary ahead 1-0 on the game’s first shot, fired seven shots on net, blocked four Edmonton attempts and racked up 25:05 of ice time.

Instead of being a building block for the Flames and a much-needed re-tool, Hanifin will be at or near the top of every pre-deadline list of players being pursued, and likely bring back to Calgary a hefty return. Hanifin’s value around the league is well known, and that kind of game from a player hitting the prime of his career certainly didn’t hurt his stock.

“We’re in a playoff hunt right now and that’s the focus in the locker-room,” Hanifin said to media in Edmonton. “I’m a part of this team and that’s where my mindset is at right now, too, just each game helping us move forward to a playoff spot and playing the best hockey I can each night for the team.”

Despite sitting three points back of a playoff position with 24 games remaining, the Flames remain at best a long-shot to reach the Stanley Cup tournament. If/when the Flames deal away Hanifin, fellow defenceman Chris Tanev and possibly goaltender Jacob Makstrom the odds will diminish.

Now, three more thoughts from the clash that saw Calgary finally beat the Oilers this season.

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